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“By late winter many camps are already filling up for summer,” she says. Camps close on a first-come, first-serve basis, so researching options ahead of time is a good idea.

Whether your kids like high-flying fun, like this camper at Newport Adventure Camp, or a more laid-back experience, there are plenty of summer camp options to match every child's interests. (CARLOS OSORIO / TORONTO STAR)

Candace Alper says her 10-year-old daughter Hannah is already registered for a three-week stay at Camp Gesher, the same camp Alper attended when she was a young girl. “Camp played such a formative role in my life,” says Alper. “I wanted to pass on my experience to my daughter.”

Beyond songs, crafts and sports, summer camp provides an opportunity to learn life lessons beyond the classroom without the fear of judgment. “There are no grades at camp,” says Heather Heagle, Executive Director of the Ontario Camps Association (OCA). “Kids are encouraged in a supportive environment to test and master new skills.”

From sports, to arts, nature and adventure, there’s a camp to match the interests of every child. Yet, with so many options, choosing the right camp can be overwhelming. OCA provides a checklist of questions to help narrow down camp options (see factbox). And if finances are a concern, some camps offer subsidies and there are organizations and government programs that offer funding to ensure all children have access to summer camps. Visit www.ontariocamps.ca for a complete list of resources and look for OCA’s booth at the Expo where it will showcase its database of 398 accredited camps that can be searched by age, gender, overnight, day and activity.

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Even with so many options, going to camp for the first time can be a frightening experience. McLaughlin says being realistic about your child’s emotional and physical development is the first step in determining whether they’re ready for camp. Consider whether your child is flexible about new routines and if they have difficulty sleeping through the night. While pre-camp jitters are normal, especially for first-time campers, viewing photos on the camp’s website or talking with other children who have attended the camp can help make the new experience less scary. Attending sleepovers at a friend or relative’s house can also help prepare them for being away from home

Alper says an overnight camp was the best way to foster her daughter’s independence and help her overcome challenges, including separation anxiety.

“She had not been great at sleepovers,” says Alper. “We’d get those calls at midnight to go and get her.”

Hannah’s celiac was another cause for concern. Alper advises other parents to discuss special needs and anxiety related issues including homesickness with camp organizers.

“I spoke with the camp councillors and sent her up with some food, but having to be responsible for her own eating habits taught her to take care of her body and gave her increased confidence and independence,” she says.

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Discover over 50 summer camps from across Ontario and Quebec, the United States and even as far away as Switzerland at Our Kids Camp Expo, and get a chance to win $500 towards the cost of an exhibiting camp. Sunday, Feb. 24, Roy Thomson Hall, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. www.ourkids.net/campexpo

Checklist for parents of first-time campers

Ask yourself these questions to help determine the best summer camp for your child:

1. What are you looking for in a camp? Camp can be an opportunity to learn new skills (such as horseback riding, kayaking or ceramics), provide a break from the city, or it can simply be an alternative to regular child care arrangements.

2. Do you prefer a day or an overnight camp?

3. What activities does the camp offer and do these match your child’s interests?

4. What is the staff to camper ratio?

5. Is transportation an issue? Does the camp offer transportation to and from the camp?

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